Media release – Dr Laura Edwards – Specialist Medical Advisor, Public Health Services, Department of Health, 23 December 2025
Third case of measles for 2025 diagnosed in Tasmania
The Department of Health is urging Tasmanians to be alert for symptoms of measles after a third case was diagnosed in Southern Tasmania on 22 December 2025.
The individual is linked to a recent measles case and is isolating and recovering at home.
Public exposure sites for measles are available on the Department of Health website.
Measles is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus that is spread through the air. People who have not previously had measles or who have not had two measles vaccines are at risk of infection.
Measles cases increased across Australia during 2025, and outbreaks are occurring globally.
Dr Laura Edwards, Specialist Medical Advisor, reminds all Tasmanians that if they are travelling these holidays, to make sure they are fully vaccinated against measles before leaving Australia.
“People born after 1965 are unlikely to have had measles and should check if they have had two measles vaccines,” Edwards said.
“If they haven’t had two vaccines or they are not sure, they should speak to an immunisation provider about getting vaccinated.”
Generally, children from 12 months of age can have the measles vaccine, however children from six months of age should be vaccinated if they are travelling overseas
“I also remind Tasmanians to be alert to the signs of measles,” Edwards said.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore eyes usually followed by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body.
“It can take up to 18 days after exposure to develop symptoms of measles.”
If symptoms develop, people should isolate and arrange to seek medical care as soon as possible.
People should call ahead to their health care provider to let them know they might have measles. This allows health services to plan for the visit and keep staff and other patients safe from the highly contagious disease.
For more information on measles.
If you have questions about measles please speak to your GP or contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
A second case of measles for 2025 has been confirmed in southern Tasmania after a teenager tested positive on 9 December 2025. The individual is currently isolating and recovering at home.
Public Health Services are conducting urgent contact tracing to determine the person’s movements and source of infection.
At this stage, there are no known links to other measles cases.
The Department of Health has advised that the case spent time in the Huon Valley and Channel areas while infectious.
Officials are working to contact anyone with a known exposure.
The Department of Health has released the following specific public exposure locations. Anyone who visited these sites during the times listed should monitor for symptoms.
Anyone who has visited an exposure location or had contact with a case should monitor for symptoms for 18 days following exposure.
Symptoms include fever, runny nose, red eyes, cough and a red, blotchy rash that typically appears later, spreading from the head downwards.
If symptoms develop, isolate immediately and call ahead to a GP or emergency department before attending to allow for appropriate infection control measures.
Measles is highly infectious and airborne.
The Department of Health strongly recommends all Tasmanians ensure they have received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine, especially those born during or since 1966, young children, and immunocompromised individuals.
For questions regarding measles and vaccination, speak to your GP or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse presentation of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.
Support us in expanding our coverage and developing new content by and for Tasmanians.
New initiatives on the way include … what our contributors and readers suggest! Please get in touch with your suggestions.
